New Zealand scrum guru Mike Cron takes up new role with Rugby Australia

Cron, 70, spent 15 years building All Blacks packs before coming out of retirement to work with the Black Ferns and, more recently, the Wallabies. Since joining Joe Schmidt’s coaching team in 2024, he has overseen a remarkable transformation of the Australian scrum.

In 10 Tests this year, the Wallabies lost just one of 68 scrums on their feed — in the opening game of the year against Fiji — before achieving a 100% success rate through the Lions series and The Rugby Championship.

“I’d like to thank Mike for what’s been a major contribution to the Wallabies since his appointment in 2024,” said Rugby Australia Director of High Performance Peter Horne. “He is a great person who is highly respected by all those involved with the game. We’ve been fortunate to have his services for the past two years, and we’re pleased he has agreed to continue to support Australian rugby moving forward.”

Cron had always intended this year to be his final season in a hands-on coaching role, handing over the reins to John Ulugia, the former Brumbies hooker and current assistant coach. Ulugia will take charge of the Wallabies’ scrum for the end-of-year Northern Hemisphere tour, gaining valuable experience at the international level.

But Cron’s involvement with Australian rugby isn’t ending entirely. He will now focus on mentoring emerging coaches and the next generation of forwards, particularly players in the tight five. Speaking before the second Bledisloe Cup Test in Perth, he outlined his vision:

“We can get a conveyor belt going. So, if I can get that going for a year or two, and then hand it over to the Aussie guys to run and keep it going, you'll have a constant pool or flow of tight fives coming through.”

Horne highlighted Ulugia’s credentials and potential: “He is a motivated young coach, and the end-of-year tour presents an opportunity for him to develop his skills further while gaining high-level experience.”

With Cron’s expertise still guiding the Wallabies’ pipeline and Ulugia stepping into the spotlight, Australia’s scrum looks set to remain a formidable weapon as they prepare for the next chapter of international rugby. The Wallabies will soon test their pack strength against the Northern Hemisphere heavyweights, with an Autumn tour across England, Italy, Ireland and France.